Carrie Underwood vs. Bo Bice

May 25, 2005|By PHILLIP THOMPSON, REDEYE.

She's a little bit country. He's a little bit rock 'n' roll. Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice sang for the last time on the fourth season of "American Idol" on Tuesday night. Both have singing talent--no question--but other intangibles play into their marketability. So let's take account of what really counts.

LOOKS LIKE

Carrie Underwood

At first glance, she's Melissa Joan Hart meets Patricia Heaton from "Everybody Loves Raymond." Or perhaps Reese Witherspoon, if you add a sandwich or two.

Bo Bice

We've heard Cousin It from the Addams Family. Or a young Meat Loaf, maybe? Sure.

Winner: Bo. Who doesn't like meatloaf?

SOUNDS LIKE

Carrie Underwood

Trisha Yearwood or the Dixie Chicks or LeAnn Rimes or any other of a hundred perky country-pop singers out there.

Bo Bice

Creed or Lynyrd Skynyrd or any other of a hundred other throaty country-rock bands out there.

Winner: Carrie. Her voice may lack personality, but that just means it can be molded by the giant corporate pop-music machine.

WHY HE OR SHE DESERVES TO WIN

Carrie Underwood

She's never been among the bottom three vote-getters on the show. Ever.

Bo Bice

He's got experience and natural stage presence.

Winner: Bo. Unlike Carrie, Bo had to take on his own clone in Constantine Maroulis--and Bo beat him.

OVERALL WINNER: Based on the intangibles, Bo would be a bigger star. Now about that hair ...